Keeping a Cat Healthy

Cats are very popular domestic pets. Most owners are responsible and take good care of their cats. Despite this, there are some illnesses and conditions that are difficult to prevent your pet from getting. Keeping your feline happy and healthy requires some knowledge about what to look for when your kitty is suffering from an illness or ailment.

Fleas are a common problem for cats and dogs. They can be, especially, troubling if your pet gets the opportunity to go outdoors. Fleas cause itching and bite the pet's skin. They can, also, carry tapeworm eggs and cause anemia. Signs of fleas include hair loss, skin lesions, and excessive itching or scratching. Over the counter flea treatments are sufficient to deal with the problem and prevent it from reoccurring in the future.

 

The next most common health problem in cats is internal parasites. These include things like tapeworms and roundworms. Diarrhea and vomiting are common symptoms of roundworm infection, while tapeworms can cause skin irritation around the anus. Treat these with a de-worming medication that can be found in pet departments or pet supply stores.

If you cat is scratching at his or her ears a lot or shaking it's head there may be ear mites in it's ear. Ear mites are a parasite that can damage the eardrum if steps aren't taken to remove them. They spread quickly from host to host and show as small, dark spots in the ear and ear canal.

Viral infection is another thing to keep an eye out for. Feline leukemia virus is the top viral cause of death among cats. This cancer is spread through saliva or common use litter box areas. Tests are available to detect this virus but as it is a cancer, it is almost always fatal. If you suspect your cat has a viral infection you should seek the help of a veterinarian.